Volunteers Plant, God Harvests
Volunteers are the heart of Couple to Couple League. You could even say that while God is the “Lord of the Harvest,” volunteers are the faithful workers that have been sent out to labor in the field of the CCL ministry. The thousands of couples learning NFP each year from CCL all connect with a volunteer teaching couple who witness to the impacts that NFP has had on their own personal journey. I have been lucky to teach NFP in a central location in a large city, at a parish that prepares many couples each year for marriage with very supportive priests. In my time working for CCL, though, I realize that this is not the normal situation for many of our volunteers.
Students Want YOU!
I have heard many frustrations from our volunteer teaching couples who have had difficulties finding rooms to teach at their parish, or the Wi-Fi password keeps changing, or they were moved into another room at the last minute that was not quite appropriate for a NFP class. Others offered classes and had no students sign up. If you have felt this way, you are not alone. Even with these obstacles, I am happy to tell you that there are couples out there who want to learn NFP and maybe they don’t know it yet, but they want to learn from you!
Like many difficulties in our lives, God can turn these difficulties into opportunities and make them good! The shutdowns during Covid were a difficult challenge in the past. During that time many people turned to online solutions to connect to others. I’m sure that we all remember getting into a class or work meeting only to have bad connections and be discouraged. Because of this, new computers have been purchased, Wi-Fi connections upgraded, and Internet connection speeds increased. Adrian and I now find video calls with our children who live out of state to be much more impactful for us and them. While the interaction may not be the same as in-person, at least we still have a live interaction.
Live Online
The CCL Live Online class has had a similar infusion of interaction. As more parishes incorporate NFP into their marriage preparation programs, these couples are looking for a NFP class. However, they may not be able to find local volunteer teachers with whom they can learn. Couples want to learn NFP from another couple. Even though online is not the same as in-person, it still offers interaction between student couple and teaching couple, the foundation of Couple to Couple League.
Here are some of the benefits of teaching Live Online classes: You don’t need to find a babysitter. No commute – saves time and gas! You won’t need to work out room reservations at the parish. No worry that the room will not be available or ready. Meet couples from all over the country. One last benefit to teaching Live Online classes is having students in class! Schedule a class even if for only a handful of students. That class will be filled up in no time!
Plant the Seeds
Students may be taking the class to check off a marriage requirement and may not want to learn the method. As a volunteer teacher this can be challenging. You are also a witness to the beauty of NFP within the Marriage Sacrament. Rely on your experience to show couples it is worth investing the effort by hearing your successes. They can overcome their challenges, just like you are overcoming yours. This can be a frustrating situation, but I suggest that you remember that these couples have come to the church to prepare them for the Sacrament of marriage and that means something. It’s an opportunity to witness a path of living a Sacramental marriage. If they don’t hear YOUR witness to the beauty that NFP can be in marriage, they may never hear it. There are many ways in which to teach NFP to couples. Use the tools that you know and adapt when needed. You are planting seeds and letting God be the gardener!
By Stacey Nagle. Stacey is a long-time teaching couple for CCL with her husband and more recently a Fertility Science Institute Coach. Stacey also serves as the National Volunteer Coordinator for CCL. She lives in Colorado with her husband and family. Originally published in Family Foundations magazine, a publication sent to patrons of Couple to Couple League.